Advice, Suggestions?

[RoLLy]

Hey Guys, I joined up hoping I could get help from the people the deal with these cars on the daily. First, sorry I didnt search a ton to try and find the answers im looking for, my adhd makes me lose focus in seconds..the meds might extend my focus by a few minutes. Ive always had a love for this car, they are just beautiful, but my knowledge on them are about slim to none. I have an 08 Evolution that I have devoted pretty much all my time to for the past few years. Anyways, I have the okay from the wife to pick up a 2nd car, mainly because my Evo is becoming a pain for me to drive on the daily and im just racking up un wanted miles on it. Im trying to find a 300zx for DD purposes(right now) but want to make sure I pick up the right one because eventually its going to be a project for me. At the end of the day it will be a car for me to have fun in at Autocross and other things.

So, from my understanding it seems like there are a boat load of options for the car as far as motors, trannys, etc. At the end of the day im gonna want it to be Twin Turbo and RWD. So when it comes to getting one to eventually build into that is it going to be a deal breaker if its not a Manual? It doesnt seem uncommon for someone to basically rip everything out and replace it all with a 2jz with the transmission, and obviously just a ton of other things that make it operate correctly. Im trying to figure out a way to ask these questions without getting flamed, but again this is beyond my knowledge. I have no problem doing the research, I just dont really know where to start. What should I be looking for when buying a z32? Thanks, sorry if all this is a broken record for you guys, been on forums for a long time and I know how people get when someone asks basic questions, but just looking for someone to share some knowledge and lead me in the right direction.

[Ziggy1621]

Welcome to the forums! Good decision to look at the TT, you will not be disappointed. Start with this thread! everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-z32-t508376.html

[DCaff300ZX]

I DD my TT and I'll say this- you REALLY want to know your Z32 s*** if you plan on owning it long term, period.
Read the thread Ziggy posted, and wiki the Z32 to begin to understand what you are working with here- some of your comments hint at some misconceptions about what the car is and has, and what you "might" do to it when you mention a 2Jz swap.
If you have the $$$$$ for a custom setup then you'd possibly/probably be better off with other platforms for do-ability, and the flexibility for swaps that the Z32 has some issues with such as V8 swaps and other heavy motors. The Z32 TT is really best left with it's stock powerplant even if modified, unless you get really crazy and even then there are plenty of high HP Z32's out there.
So, when you have a Z32 be sure to check back with questions!

[300ZXttZMAN]

Agreed^. Do your research.

[RoLLy]

Awesome, thanks guys. I started reading through some build threads yesterday..always some good reading. Ive been really itching to get a project car. I do spend a ton of time with my Evo, but Im not experienced enough to take it apart when it comes to things like putting in a clutch, etc. I could do it, but it would just take me a long a** time and Id probably break something. Not to say the same thing couldnt happen with the 300, but the only difference is im paying $4-5k for a project rather then $30k and I would rely on it everyday to be up and running.

So just for verification, Its still logical to buy a NA z32 and swap the VG30DETT or do more people just boost it and beef up the internals? As of right now I def can not afford a TT z32, they are just out of my price range for what I want and it would defy the purpose of my longterm goal which would be to learn and gain experience taking a car completely apart. Also where does the conversion to RWD come in with the vg30dett? Im assuming there are other transmissions compatible with it?, or at that point do you have to just go with a 1/2jz? Hopefully when I find a good deal on one ill be able to pull the trigger. Ill check out the stuff you guys recommended

[DCaff300ZX]

One thing that you should find when researching is that a good, solid TT will cost you about $8-11K (AT MT prices), and a solid NA will be about $4.5-6K with a quality TT swap costing around $5-8K depending upon whether you do it yourself (not recommended for even a moderate mechanic) or have someone else do it.
The math tells the tale...

[zcar93na]

Also where does the conversion to RWD come in with the vg30dett? Im assuming there are other transmissions compatible with it?, or at that point do you have to just go with a 1/2jz?

z32s are RWD, so you don't have to do any conversions